Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1954)

Tuesday, February 9, 1954 Motion Picture Daily 11 Circuit Helps Rush TV Station Debut In Chattanooga CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 8. — The Independent Theatres circuit here, in a deal with the local affiliate of the National Broadcasting Co., has moved to "bring television to Chattanooga sooner than the previously expected date," it was disclosed by Moses Lebovitz, president of the circuit, which purchased an interest in the newly reorganized WDEF Broadcasting Co. In commenting on the move, Lebovitz declared : "We look upon television as being an extension of the motion picture industry into the home and therefore took what we believe to have been a logical step in consolidating with WDEF." Lebovitz and Jay Solomon, general manager of the Chattanooga theatre circuit, will be stockholders in the newly reorganized company which has already been approved as the licensee by the Federal Communications Commission. Lebovitz will be vice-president and a director of WDEF-AM-TV. Lebovitz, as head of Southern Television, Inc., was one of the applicants for a TV license. The third applicant was Tri-State Telecasting Co., which along with Southern Television, withdrew its application in return for ownership interest in the WDEF radio and television operation. Three Films Begun; Four Are Completed HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 8. — Three pictures were started last week and lour others finished, leaving" 18 films now shooting. Five of the pictures are being filmed outside Hollywood. New productions are "White Orchid," a Cosmos production in Eastman color by United Artists ; "A Matter of Life and Death," Panoramic Prod., 20th Century-Fox ; "Matchmakers," Universal-International. Completed were "Law vs. Billy the Kid," Columbia ; "Bride for Seven Brothers," CinemaScoDe, Eastman color, M-G-M ; "The Raid" and "Gambler from Natchez," Panoramic Prod., Technicolor, 20th-Fox. HOWARD E. STARK Brokers and Financial Consultants TELEVISION STATIONS RADIO STATIONS SO E. 58th St., N. Y. EL 5-0405 Specialists to Motion Picture Industry Organ Magic JACK WARD on TV and Radio 33rd Week at Rainbow Room Radio City, N. Y. FILMACK Television-Radio — with Pinky Herman — Bill Nimmo T^HE NBCamel News Caravan marches on to its sixth birthday next Tuesday at which time it will become the first news program to be color-cast. Standard receivers will pick up the John Cameron Swayze program in regular black-and-white. . . . Television execs are much more concerned with misleading and irritating commershills than was formerly the case in radio and diligently listen to suggestions, gripes and advice of John Q. Public. . . . The Philco Television Playhouse presentation last Sunday of "Hide and Seek," via NBC was a high spot thanks to the superb play-acting of Betty Field and Mildred Dunnock, as the "two sisters" and the fine supporting roles turned in by James Green, Gaye Huston, Sandy Campbell and Michael Mann. TV play, by J. P. Miller was produced by Fred Coe. . . . Progress during the first 14 months has borne out the optimism of the AGVA Welfare Trust Fund trustees. This unique group insurance plan entered into with Lloyd's of London not only provides muchneeded accident insurance for performing artists but also guarantees, because of this very safety measure, a smoother and finer performance for the operator-employer. ft ft ft Seen on five TV programs each week, Bill Nimmo's real life adventures and experience aptly qualify him for added services as technical consultant on some of the shows. He used to be a boxer and thus utilizes to good advantage his knowledge of fisticuffs as commercial announcer for the Pabst Blue Ribbon CBSlugfests on Wednesday nights. A year's hitch as a private eye with his dad, chief of detectives in his native Cincinnati, serves him in good stead as announcer for "The Plain Clothesman" and having studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, likewise adds to his special ability in doing the CBSpiel for "This Is Show Business." The fact that he spent six years in the Army, starting as a private and retiring as a major, during which he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, most certainly enhances the handsome lad's natural talents. ft ft ft A gala program has been set up to NBCelebrate the 27th anniversary of the "Cities Service Band of America" series, under the direction of maestro Paul Lavalle next Mon. at 9:30 P.M. A musical salute to the program's first conductor, Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman, has been arranged, with the scheduled broadcast of the latter's original composition, "On the Mall." . . . We wondered how come no recordingfirm has signed Denise Lor to a contract because the talented vocalist on the "Garry Moore Show" five-a-week TV ehicle possesses a voice designed for thrilling trilling. La Lor's initial platter of "That's What a Girl Appreciates," on Pavis Records, with smooth support by Phil Davis' ark, is a deejay's delight. . . . Jim Morgan in New York from the Coast. Does that mean that his MBSeries, "Queen for a Day," might be shifted here ? * ft ft Sign of the times: — Peter Arnell, producer of the television CBShozv, "I'll Buy That '' has received more than 200 letters from listeners offering to sell, via his program, their 'useless' coffee pots, percolators, etc. . . . Craig Timberlake of Fred Waring's Glee Club, is the author of a new book about David Belasco, titled, "Bishop of Broadway," which will be found in the bookstores late this month. . . . Under assignment by Johnny Johnston, radio-TV head of the National Association of Manufacturers, the telefilm series, "Industry on Parade," produced by Arthur Lodge Productions, is now TViewed in 193 cities. A NAM fine record ! ft ft ft WOR will again televise the Brooklyn Dodgers' home games with Schaefer beer and Lucky Strikes dividing the tab. . . . Producer of the "CBSuspense" series, Martin Manulis, started his show biz career as an actor (had a Paramount screen test in 1934) but switched to the producing end and after adding several important Broadway productions to his credit list, joined CBS-TV as a producer in 1951. . . . Cowboy balladeer Red River Dave's new series of WOAI-TV (San Antonio, Texas) musicales will be sponsored by General Electric. The tall Texan, by the way, is responsible for the growing popularity of the melodious tone-poem, "Texas Lullaby." . . . Ray Heatherton, the WOR-TV Merry Mailman, has signed to warble kidisks for Coral Records. . . . We doff the benny to Jack Benny's CB Swell program Sunday. $3,000,000 Gross for 'Reef and 'Rifles' In Initial Dates Initial domestic playdates of the CinemaScope productions, "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" and "King of the Khyber Rifles" have grossed a combined total of $3,000,000 before amusement tax deductions, 20th Century-Fox reported here yesterday. In 104 engagements, of which 48 are still active, "12-Mile Reef" has reached the $1,800,000 mark, the company said. "Khyber Rifles" in 97 playdates, of which 56 are current, is reported to have grossed $1,200,000. The latter completes its seventh week tomorrow at the Rivoli Theatre here. SWG Nominates 38 For Annual Awards HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 8. — Screen Writers Guild announced nominations for 38 writers for its annual awards, with the winners to be disclosed Feb. 25 at a banquet at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Fifteen pictures, 12 from major studios and three from independents, were represented in the nominations. Neighborhood Runs Of 'Boy Lost' Start Bing Crossby's "Little Boy Lost" will open tomorrow at 45 New York metropolitan area neighborhood _ theatres, including 31 Loew's circuit houses. "Little Boy Lost" had a 13-week run at the Rivoli Theatre here. Every week-day is wait FRAME R "Top-rating" day! wait FRAMER PRODUCTIONS "AMERICA'S LEADING INDEPENDENT TV PRODUCER" r*4 1 150 AVENUE of the AMERICAS, New York 36, N. Y. • OXford 7-3322